Lia stood frozen in the hallway, her mind replaying the absurd scene she had just witnessed. Lucian pinning another man on his desk—arms trapping him against the polished wood, his face dangerously close to his secretary’s.

Did I just see that correctly?

Before she could fully process what had happened, a sharp voice rang out from inside.

“Next time, knock first.”

Lia gulped. Okay, maybe I imagined it...

Still, curiosity got the better of her, and she peeked her head back inside. What she saw this time was even more confusing—a man looking at her through Lucian's arms, his expression caught between shock and panic.

The man—Jeremy, Lucian’s long-time secretary—suddenly shoved Lucian away.

"It's your sister!" Jeremy blurted out, as if that explained everything.

Lia, now feeling incredibly awkward, shifted her weight and looked anywhere but at the two men. “Umm… I didn’t know you guys were busy…” she hesitated, throwing Lucian a guilty look.

Lucian, finally realizing who had barged in, straightened up, his face twisting in horror. "No! It wasn't what you're thinking!" he burst out.

Jeremy quickly added, "Yes! I'm his secretary, and there’s nothing like that between us!"

Lia, still standing by the door, tilted her head in amusement. “You don’t have to hide it,” she said, her eyes glinting mischievously. “I support you both!”

Lucian nearly choked on air. “Are you crazy?!” he shouted, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “That’s not—Jeremy, say something!”

Jeremy smirked, arms crossed as he leaned against the desk. “Me and him? No way. I have better taste.”

Lia chuckled, “But just now, it was just you and him.”

Jeremy scoffed. “You’re misunderstanding! I was just—ugh—getting him to help me!”

“With what?” Lia teased, grinning.

Lucian sighed heavily, rubbing his temple. “I was giving him dating advice.”

Lia blinked. Then smirked. “Oh, sure. That’s definitely what you were doing.”

Jeremy groaned. “I swear! I have a girlfriend!”

Lia gasped dramatically. “So you’re cheating on my brother?”

“Please give me a break,” Jeremy sighed, throwing his hands up in surrender. “He was trying to teach me how to coaxmy girlfriend.”

Lia giggled. “So… caging her will coax her?”

Jeremy frowned. “Wait, what?”

Lucian scoffed, crossing his arms. “It’s the best tactic.”

“No, it’s not,” Lia said, deadpan. “If you actually want her to stay with you, don’t listen to Lucian’s terrible advice.”

Lucian narrowed his eyes. “Oh? And you think you’re better at this than me?”

Lia shrugged. “I’m just saying… If she’s angry, dominant, and sassy, then trying to control her is going to get you kicked in the balls.”

Jeremy looked horrified. “I’d like to avoid that.”

“Then don’t listen to Lucian,” Lia said wisely.

Lucian rolled his eyes. “You’re both clueless. My advice is perfectly fine.”

“Boss,” Jeremy turned to Lucian with a straight face, “I hate to break it to you, but you’ve never dated anyone in your entire life. So your advice isn’t exactly trustworthy.”

Lia snorted. “Good point.”

Lucian’s expression darkened. “Oh? And you have dating experience?”

Lia smirked. “Are you asking me out?”

Jeremy snorted, quickly covering his mouth to stifle his laughter.

Lucian gaped at her, horrified. “No!”

“Then why are you asking?”

“Because if you’ve never dated anyone either, how are you any better than me at giving advice?”

Lia arched a brow. “And how do you know I’ve never dated anyone?”

Lucian stiffened.

Lia smirked. “Never mind. Don’t answer that.”

Jeremy, now genuinely invested, turned to Lia. “So what should I do?”

Lia thought for a moment. “Just act submissive.”

Jeremy nodded as if that made sense. “She does like when I act more like a lost puppy…”

Lucian gagged. “A lost puppy? That’s disgusting.”

“At least I’m dating. Unlike some old single men,” Jeremy shot back.

Lia burst out laughing at the expression on Lucian’s face—pure rage.

“Anyways,” Lia smirked. “Jeremy, just act cute.”

“More like act foolish,” Lucian muttered. “But wait, you already are a fool, so no need to act.”

Jeremy rolled his eyes. “I don’t need your advice anymore.”

“Yes, we’re fine without you,” Lia teased. “So get back to work.”

“Fine. Carry on your nonsense then,” Lucian grumbled, walking back to his desk.

Lia plopped down on the couch next to Jeremy. “Alright, let’s actually strategize.”

Lucian sighed, half-listening from his desk, his fingers tapping against the wood.

“…I think both of you need actual dating experience,” Jeremy said suddenly.

Lia blinked. “Huh?”

Jeremy smirked. “Your advice doesn’t sound like anything couples actually do.”

Lia grinned. “Then find me a boyfriend.”

“Deal.”

Before Lucian could process what was happening, he shot up from his chair and roared, “GET OUT!”

Lia and Jeremy stumbled to their feet, barely dodging Lucian’s death glare as he ushered them toward the door. With a loud slam, the office door shut behind them.

Jeremy turned to Lia, still processing what just happened.

Lia smirked. “Well, that was fun.”

Jeremy let out a short laugh. “Come on. Let me show you around before you officially join the company.”

And just like that, Lia’s first day at Starlight Entertainment took an unexpected turn—one that involved misunderstandings, chaos, and the realization that perhaps, just maybe, she wasn’t as prepared for this world as she thought.